Proscalops miocaenus

Overview

Proscalops miocaenus is an Oligocene mole relative studied through a skull and jaws, together with a separate humerus. Its skull is described as short and broad at the rear. Head and forelimb clues gathered from different fossils can be examined together.^[1]

Key facts

The tip of the snout is missing from skull 8949a. Nevertheless, the preserved portion reveals a short head outline and broad rear. Even with a small missing part, a fossil can convey important body features.^[1]

Time and place

Fossil-bearing strata in the database are summarized as Oligocene material roughly 34–25 million years old. A 1901 study of fossil mammals from northeastern Colorado discussed the head and humerus. Separate discoveries became evidence for comparing mole relatives’ bodies.^[1][3]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

Reference material 8949a includes a skull and jaws, while right humerus 9224 is a separate specimen. The short, broad-backed head and forelimb bone each contribute different information.^[1][2]

Habitat and reproduction

Studying the head and forelimbs separately raises different questions about the body. Skull comparisons examine lengthwise outlines and width, while the humerus reveals forelimb structure. Looking at several regions separately offers more than an impression based on just one part.^[1]

Fossil discovery

Matthew’s 1901 description covered the skull and jaws and a separate humerus. Later comparative research on proscalopid moles also included an articulated skeleton of another genus. Comparing equivalent regions of different animals helps explain body organization.^[1][2]

References

1. Matthew (1901) · Fossil mammals of the Tertiary of northeastern Colorado
2. Barnosky (1981) — Skeletal comparisons of proscalopid moles
3. Paleobiology Database — Stratigraphic records of Proscalops fossils
4. Korth (2015) — Comparison of cedromine mandibles and skulls
5. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
6. Matthew (1901) — The skull and humerus of Proscalops
7. Paleobiology Database — Stratigraphic records of Proscalops fossils

Research questions

How can a head and arm bone from separate fossils be connected? Researchers distinguish specimen assignments from the evidence for comparison. Material preserved together in one individual and material associated separately raise different questions.^[1]

Observation

Move your gaze from the broad outline at the rear of the head to the forelimbs. Remember that the picture of this animal begins with separate clues: head material and a humerus from another specimen.^[1][2]